Canadian beef producers and processors are gaining renewed access to an important Caribbean market after the Dominican Republic lifted restrictions that had kept Canadian beef out of the country for more than two decades.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced that the Dominican Republic has approved imports of Canadian beef and beef products, including offal, from cattle of all ages. The decision marks the restoration of market access for the first time since 2003, when restrictions were imposed following Canada’s initial case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).
The reopening followed an audit of Canada’s beef inspection system by the Dominican Republic’s General Directorate of Medicines, Food and Health Products and General Directorate of Livestock. The review confirmed the reliability of Canada’s food safety, inspection and animal-health controls, clearing the way for Dominican authorities to remove the long-standing restrictions.
For Canadian producers and processors, the decision creates another avenue for exports while supporting efforts to diversify the country’s agricultural trade.
“Canada’s beef producers deliver safe, high-quality products trusted around the world. The Dominican Republic is an important and growing market in the Americas, and re-opening access creates new opportunities for our farmers and processors to expand their reach, strengthen their operations, and support jobs across Canada. Our government will continue working with industry and international partners to open doors, drive growth, and showcase the best of Canadian agriculture globally,” stated the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
Canada currently holds negligible risk status for BSE, an internationally recognized designation reflecting the country’s science-based animal-health and food-safety framework. That status continues to support Canadian efforts to secure and expand access to international markets.
The Dominican Republic represents a potentially significant opportunity for the Canadian meat sector. According to the Canadian Meat Council, the country imported more than $200 million in beef in 2025, providing Canadian processors with a new market in which to compete.
“Securing approval for Canadian beef processing establishments to export to the Dominican Republic is a pivotal step in diversifying Canada’s red meat trade and expanding our presence in global markets. The Canadian Meat Council has been advocating for this access since 2023, and we were proud to host and fund the Dominican audit team during its visit to Canada to help make it possible. Without the audit — and ultimately the Dominican Republic’s approval — Canadian establishments could not export to this market. The Dominican Republic is a significant meat import market, with more than $200 million in beef imports in 2025. With market access now granted, Canadian processors can compete to supply Dominican consumers with high-quality Canadian beef. This achievement is a testament to Canada’s world-class food safety standards and to what strong collaboration between government and industry can accomplish. This is a meaningful breakthrough for Canada’s meat sector, opening the door to new export opportunities, greater market diversification and growth across the entire supply chain,” said Kyle Larkin, President & CEO of the Canadian Meat Council.
The renewed access adds another international destination for Canadian agriculture and agri-food products, giving beef producers and processors an opportunity to expand their reach while strengthening export diversification and growth across the supply chain.
